KUDAT: The Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (MMEA) seized a pump boat suspected of carrying about 2,000 litres of petrol without a valid approval in the waters off Damaran, Pulau Banggi, early Sunday.
Kudat Maritime director Maritime Commander Hasbullah Omar said the seizure followed intelligence information, after which a Malaysian Maritime patrol boat was deployed to the location for inspection.
He said upon arrival, the enforcement team found the boat abandoned, with the operator believed to have fled to evade arrest.
“Inspection found several blue drums containing petrol without any authorisation documents, with the value of the seizure estimated at about RM5,000,” he said.
Hasbullah said the boat and fuel were taken to the Malaysian Maritime jetty for further action, with the case investigated under the Supply Control Act 1961 for suspected unauthorised transport and storage of controlled goods.
